Reports: Everton close to adding Gray and Townsend to Benitez's squad

Surely some sort of a sick joke!

Not sure on Townsend but maybe a 2-year contract ain't too bad. Could they actively be looking to get rid of Iwobi or push him to a central position and get rid of Sigurdsson or James?

Hoping we will hopefully still be looking for a first-choice right-back and right-sided midfielder… fingers crossed.

But Begovic? Fine... He's just back up. Townsend? Okay, he fills a position we're short in. But Gray too? – starts to look like we're acquiring more of the mid-table, low motivation deadwood we already have too much of.

I'd rather see us rely on Gordon (accepting he's still learning) than stock up on players like this.

As we saw with King, buying average players might give you numbers but it doesn't improve the team in practice. And you're robbing yourself of wages and transfer kitty that can be better spent elsewhere.

So, if he thinks these two can do a job for us – albeit in the short term – who am I to argue?

The sort of player you almost drool over, and then are collectively shouting, "Shoot!" or "Cross!" and they do neither. At the price mentioned, I can't see it being a bad move, and he is still fairly young, so may have something left in his locker as well as Premier League experience.

Andros Townsend? I think he could prove to be a bargain on a free, but just hope he hasn't lost that early promise when he was tipped to be a player for the futuzre. Rafa, at long last, getting players (grafters) in, even though he is scouring Boot Sales and Bargain Basements. Still, I would like a couple of quality signings and Dumfries, being offset by misfits departing.

I won't start singing "We Love You, Rafa, We Do" – that would be taking things too far! 😜

It's like reverting back to when Smith was in charge and we became a home for waifs and strays.

The saying “no deal is better than a bad deal” has suddenly lodged in my mind.

I expect him to try and sign a couple of midfielders because other than Gomes, none of them can really pass the ball, but it's not easy getting rid of players from Everton, because a lot of them are on absolute fortunes. Money which very few of them will ever receive again in their careers.

These are not better players than Iwobi. And they are not the calibre of player to make DCL, Richarlison, Digne and Godfrey think their futures lie at Everton.

A bad deal is absolutely worse than no deal.

You can't make this ineptitude up.

Presumably we are scouring the market for the slowest midfielders in Europe, just in case someone will take Gomes and Sigurdsson off our hands.

Rodriguez has frustrated the board by not being available to play enough, let's swap him for Coutinho then!

Although, Leicester won the Premiership with a good hard grafting side of unfashionable names under Ranieri, they weren't particularly playing great scintillating football, but nevertheless very effective, and hard to beat! 1-0 gets 3 points as well as a 6-0 does, but possibly a lot less entertaining.

Whilst the sub keeper makes perfect sense, the other two are unbearable news. I'd rather just put faith into Anthony Gordon. If these two come in, then you know Gordon is off out on loan again which will eventually end up in a career in the lower divisions.

This is absolutely shit news!!!

Let's be positive going forward!

I really like Townsend. Puts in a shift and has bags of Prem experience. Can get back and defend and can create. Needs to score more though.

I don't think it's a time to make judgments, because I'm sure Bernard is going, and hopefully a few more will both come and go as well.

oh well, lets see if they can do a job and surprise us.

To be fair, getting the premium players often requires waiting till the window is near closing so let's see what happens before we all make our judgments.

Townsend is an enigma he has all the skill in the world but the penny hasn't dropped. If both come off they will make a hell of a difference - big "if" of course

He looked a very very promising young player at Leicester then seemed to drop off the map.

Almost certain he's scored against us.

Gray and Townsend will transform us into an underachieving, "make up the numbers" mediocre club.

This is filling the squad with potential shit after spending years trying to get rid of the shit. I can see benitez starting with Delph, Allan, Sigurdsson and Townsend next season for experience (Richarlison won't want to be left-mid in a 5, so that's what Gray will do). Depressing.

Begovic beggars belief.
Andros Townsend? The clue is in his name - dross!!!!
Demarai Gray, if he was so good why didnt Rafa chase him when he was at NUFC and LCFC wanted rid?

Conspiracy theorist here but is he just here to shaft us?

Yesterday we where buying Kulibaly and Dumfries - WTCF..

We have underperforming players in those positions on high wages who basically haven't cut the mustard so to speak.

So potentially, we bring these two in and ship Bernard and Iwobi out. One thing they give us is what the latter didn't and what many have been calling out for. Pace and directness. Even at 30 in Townsend's case and he would be part of a rotational squad.

It replaces what we have and what hasn't performed, but then given the low transfer / lower wages, we still have scope to bring in a Dumfries (for example) and we do that, then we have improved the squad.

On Gordon; not yet seen enough from him when he's played. Obviously he's still young. Too good for the U23s so I wouldn't be surprised to see him back on loan again as I'm not sure he's ready to improve us yet.

As always, all about opinion and views.

I think that Rafa will take the fun out of functional, I also fear we will lose either Richarlison or Dominic before long too.

I can just about stomach Everton highlights because footy in general is as exciting as watching paint dry so my knowledge of contemporary players isn't up to much. But what I can say is, from limited snippets I've seen, the standard of today's footy player is truly abysmal.

The idea this guy is memorable for scoring against us is a good laugh because that list is very, very long

I remember people scoffing when Paul Power (too old), Andy Gray (finished), Peter Reid (a crock) all joined Everton.

Never make a judgement too soon. I hope it all works out well but some others will pray for the worst.

So glad I gave up my season ticket. New deals for Delph and Sigurdsson next?

Mind you, it could be an own goal ! :-)

I have absolutely no idea what it is you need to convince me about

Gray has a flaw that could be remedied and Townsend is a good player who hasn't fulfilled his potential - that's all I said

Being an 80s veteran, I'll try to bring it closer to home for the younger generation. We bought in a cut down priced Tim Cahill because he'd had a bad knee injury. I think Palace cooled on him opening the door for us? And many scoffed at us buying Gueye from the relegated Aston Villa.

Truth is, you can never tell how a player will fair in a different set of players at a different club. If they arrive, lets judge them as Everton players, despite previous perceptions and views, myself included.

Mind you, I thought Walcott fit that bracket but his performances were quite hit and miss.

We need a back up keeper to challenge Pickford. While we have a dearth of wide options. Last season, we were even playing Coleman right midfield at times! These two are low risk buys who will fatten up the squad in areas where we are weak. Hopefully Bernard is a goner, and if we can get rid of the likes of Gomes and Sigurdsson also, and bring in some more mobile midfielders, we are on the right path.

We obviously haven't got much money. Dropping down the league at the end of last season hasn't helped. I just hope we have enough to make one top signing, plus a few bargains. I'd be happy with that.

What amazes me is that some people would welcome this.

Begavic- a good keeper.

Both the wide men have pace. Something we are crying out for.

Townsend was actually the best player on the pitch when I went to see England a few years ago. He's still 20 times better and more positive than Iwobi.

Gray was a top player just 18 months ago. He's still young. He's very quick and has skill.

FFP has us by the short and curlies until we off load some very expensive garbage.

I'll reserve judgement until they are here and been given a chance.

Plus who knows – we might get a marquee signing or two nearer the start of the season.

There isn't an easy solution, and the malicious posters are only helping to undermine the freedoms which we currently enjoy.

Regarding other sales, although Siggy is slow he is still a decent player for a bottom half Prem team, depends whether or not he will accept a pay cut.

Gomes may be difficult to move on unless he goes to somewhere in Europe.

There may still be a player hiding in Iwobi, perhaps Rafa can get the best out of him.

The rumours about Koulibally seem to persist, can't see that happening unless Michael Keane or Mina are sold.

Mason Holgate is a strange one, he played well in midfield under Duncan and I can't help thinking that may be his best position. As he showed against Firmino at Mordor, he won't take any crap of anyone which is hard to find and makes me think he is worth keeping for at least another season.

Considering the apparent financial plight we find ourselves in I find it difficult to believe we are bringing in any other big names unless of course we sell Kean or another.

Bring in other teams' dead wood!

Everton that!

if someone posts something that requires investigation, the source is easily traceable in most regular cases, and has been for a long time... at least to the address/device.

If someone is a bit more savvy/knowledegable about how to "Hide" themselves while posting, they will not be deterred by changes that would impact the vast majority across the board.

Genuinely malicious posters are not intending to undermine freedoms, they simply provide the excuse.

I am tired of expectations. I have none and I am a see what happens chap. Why? I had expectations with this club and it either makes you ill or seek therapy. Stop the negativity. Your alive and we have rafa. I feel lucky to have both!!!

“Good squad players”

……the glass half full brigade losing their marbles tonight. Why not buy me this summer (fat, 44 year old). Give me a couple of games, I'll stink the place out, then you can happy clap replacing me with Oumar and Magaye Gueye out of retirement this summer. Both of them once had promise too.

Litmus test for me is would any other club with European ambitions be looking at either of these 2 players, let alone both! The answer is a big fat no!

I'm all for squad depth but we need squad quality first! This has the hallmarks of a bottom half squad for next season…..

I choosd not to bave any have expectations of this club, that way i'm not disappointed when it's a bottom half finish next season.

FFP is a concern and besides Bernard we also need to offload the the likes of Tosun, Delph, and Gomes. To me, these signings are a good indicator that we are going to be actively offloading some of the deadwood and Gray and Townsend and coming in to fill out what is currently a very unbalanced squad.

Townsend shouldn't be anything more than a 2 year deal and won't commend big wages. Gray for £1.5m could be pretty shrewd business. He's still young, and he's done ok for Leverkusen when he's played. Don't be too concerned about lack of games. He's behind Bailey and Diaby so was never going to be a regular starter for them. Like I say, neither signing is nothing to get excited about but with FFP a consideration and our need to offload high earners that don't play, I understand why we're doing this business.

If true then these players may be more than padding out the squad, but let's see.

There will be exits before this season starts, and alas not all from the deadwood.

But every day is a good day. Hope eternal.

Alternatively, at least we aren't going into the season thinking we have a chance of top 6 only to be left disappointed and crushed like usual.

I hope no one ever, ever asks that question again.

And remember the new objective is to stay in the prem, 17th and above is plenty good enough for this club now, we're no longer competing with Tottenham, Leicester, WHU, Leed or Villa, we just need to do well against 10th and below.

Rafa still thinks we're a small club with small club ambitions and he's probably right. All a bit disappointing if true

Unfortunately If we don't sell Moise Kean or someone like Holgate, Keane or Mina, we'll get small change for the deadwood like Delph, Kenny, Tosun and Bernard. I'd expect us to bring in Dumfries and that might be the only summer business unless there's a couple of loans with options to buy. Our hands are tied with FFP this summer.

It's not ideal, and some people are moaning saying Gray and Townsend are just deadwood. Yes, they aren't first 11 singings but they'll be an improvement and will only be on about half the wages of squad players like Bernard and Delph. If we offload 3-4 deadwood squad players we need to bring in a couple of squad players. The squad was already very unbalanced with Bernard the only recognised winger. They're sensible signings for me, in particularly Demarai Gray for £1.5m.

Begovic? What's the point in him? Well past his best, if he ever had a “best”.
Townsend? Average at best and that's stretching it.
Gray? Great prospect but has a reputation for being an arrogant, know-it-all, little shit. I wanted him when he was at Birmingham but he went to Leicester and Brendan was unable to control him.

Does this all mean we are back to shopping in Poundland? Perhaps if Brands can get rid of Delph, Iwobi, Mina, Holgate, Iwobi, Bernard and Besic we can afford 1-2 B-list players

Not happy...

Best post of the summer

So if Crystal Palace wants to hold out Zaha for $30m or $40m then good luck, we will get Townsend and Gray instead for free.

Townsend has the best defensive stats for a winger in Europe as well as having 0.25 g&a per season for Palace, which is the same as Adama at Wolves. Gray has 0.31 g&a, that's the same as Zaha, and Gray also completes as many dribbles and carries as Adama. £1.5M for both could be sly deals in the long run.

Rafa plays very defensive at times too and both of these players are a lot more suited to the Premier League than Iwobi and Bernard (especially Townsend, who works very hard and has decent end-product).

While I did not welcome Benitez with open arms, he may be able to get something out of under-rated players. I really do not think we have much choice other than to hopeful these players may be able to add something that we don't have: "Speed".

Benitez had nothing to do with spending £50+ million on Walcott and Iwobi, just to mention a few. And there are others to add to that list of expensive under-performers.

Townsend is a seasoned pro. Just turned 30, so not over the hill, and is still quick. Also willing to work hard for the team. Most importantly, he is comfortable on the right wing and can actually put in a good cross. Thus, fills an obvious hole in the squad.

All good news as far as I'm concerned.

We need to be bringing in better than what we have — not worse.

I can only hope that the other 2,997 inspire more confidence and excitement rather than why the person responsible for HR was appointed to the Board.

And does this mean we are not going to waste any more money or that we don't have any more money?

Paul Power was an uninspired signing, yet he went on to play over 50 times and win the league with us!

Knowing Rafa, there'll be more ins and outs before the season starts. The time to judge is when the window shuts.

What makes a winning team? Maybe quite good players, (a few very good), a good system, and a good fighting spirit. Rafa is a system manager and is looking for players that will utilize his system and make the team more than its constituent parts.

Gray and Townsend might turn out to be very important cogs in the Blue Machine. Moving the pawns first, I hope.

It's only one of those BBC Gossip column reports, but I see we are linked with Barcelona's Clement Lenglet this morning. As always, taken with a pinch of salt, but the centre-back rumours persist.

It's all so uninspiring.

The team on the pitch will be expected to have the same ethic. Some of our big-money signings could find themselves under selection pressure from a £1M player who is prepared to work harder. I don't expect any big expensive signings. I expect similar type signings. We will know soon enough, because they will be early transfers.

In addition, one thing for sure is if a Gareth Barry type player is out there, he will be in and one of our 'stars' will be sold to pay for him. For some reason, I don't expect players joining on loan, doesn't fit in with what I perceive as Rafa's ideas on commitment.

A low-cost, hard-working, committed side can achieve a midtable finish, maybe even higher than 10th in the Premier League, and be a good base to build from. It would have the bonus of being great financially.

Brands should go though, along with his role being abolished. I doubt he's had much input on the Gray transfer and the Director of Fooball role has done nothing but damage to the club's prospects.

If murmurings are correct and we dispense of our two highest wage earners, Mina and Bernard, and bring in a top right-back (Dumfries, Aarons?) and centre-back (Koulibaly, Demiral, Lenglet?), then it would be a good transfer window overall IMHO.

Personally I would also loan out Holgate and Davies to a bottom half Premier League side. If we could flog off Kenny, Delph, Gomes and Tosun, all t,he better.

The truth is, until we see them in an Everton shirt, we can't judge them as Everton players. Until then, we don't know if this will become Howard Kendall like astuteness with his Paul Power signing or another Delph moment.

Underwhelming? Yes. But maybe it's squad building. Don't forget, as well as adding better first team players, we still need to shift some out and given our squad was lightweight last season, which bit us on the arse, we need to add squad depth too or at least replace them.

Vijay, despite my previous doubts and uncertainty about Kenny, and I watched him for Schalke, I kind of always hope there is something in there. I don't think he's quite the level we want to be (don't mix that up with where we are), but with Coleman's days numbered, maybe keep him for squad depth alongside signing a better right back?? I know, I want everything!!

I could be going all Blue Bill-esque because he's one of ours, but as back up, not a bad option.

Townsend on a free represents a real improvement on King, though not a direct replacement. A very-low-cost squad player who can still provide very good crosses, and should make a very good backup to a first-choice player.

Gray, for those who have never heard of him or know nothing about him (I find that strange for anyone who watches football) was a very, very good prospect at Leicester City. Very skilful and rapid. Seemed to lose his way and didn't kick on as expected but certainly gave us a hard time when we played Leicester and he scored against us.

Again, at the reported £1.5M, he's well worth the gamble. The lad's 25 and still has the potential, in the right environment, to flourish. If he doesn't at least we haven't done an Iwobi and wasted £25M plus.

He's 25 and never really made it past the "up-and-coming, off-the-bench" type player.

He made ten appearances, don't know how many were as a sub, and he scored one goal. He joined them on an 18-month contract. We have paid £1.5M for him, maybe we will sell him on for a quick profit, or possibly use him and see if Benitez can make a decent player out of him.

People moan about the cheap signings who will act as squad rotation, when we run the risk of blowing more money on utter dross..

Let's see, shall we? It cant get any worse IMO as we are bang shite at the moment.

Mind you Benitez does have Kim Jong-Uns waist-line pre the North Korean's enforced COVID slimming treatment. And his charisma.

Many on here would then be saying "Townsend and Gray were available but we let them slip by, typical Everton that."

Reminder: Barry Horne, Kevin Sheedy, Paul Power, Richard Gough, Gareth Barry and more – all not good enough at the time.

Anything in the runes?

Rafa obviously knows and trusts Townsend. He has the desired pace we crave and costs nothing while he's actually very good defensively. (Top 15 last season for tackles; 25 starts, 9 sub.) He's also good for at least one 40-yard screamer a season.

Gray, on the other hand, I'm not so sure about. Has pace and age on his side. I've always seen him as a player to come on with 15 minutes to go to run at tired defenders. Signed for Leverkusen in January and played 10 times, scoring once and assisting twice (5 starts, 5 sub).

I remember when we signed a fading Paul Gascoigne. In itself it was underwhelming. But we had already added to the squad that summer and he was a bit of bunce.

It looks like we have got the bunce in early without breaking the bank. We have to reduce the wage bill, and there are a few who will leave or have their contracts paid up. After that, we will be in a position to fulfil the demands of a top player or two.

When the window closes – or as the media put it, slams shut! – we can moan if we haven't made any exciting signings and still have Bernard and a team of pedestrian No 10s. But, until then, l will keep my powder dry and see what develops.

Rafa will have the whole team defending with all heads clued up for the counter-attack.

As a plan, it is not the Ardennes… but at least it is a plan. I am looking forward to watching our players drilled so that they know what to do when we have the ball.

And if we brought all four of these players in, it surely means Iwobi is on the way out.

Fair point on Kenny. I also thought he would be a natural successor to Seamus, but it doesn't look like he's kicked on after his two loans. If we do get Dumfries or Aarons in, three right-backs might be one too many..

Dross Townsend and Gray… now it would be good news if it was Andy Gray. Where's the so-called money?

I haven't quite got round to enquiring how much a season ticket is at Anfield but the thought is creeping in. Not a word from Blue Bill, Mmmm.

Like many of us who have suffered the garbage offered over many years, I am thinking are we resorting to becoming a mid-table team without ambition?

Something obviously not right at boardroom level. Please sort it out or I can see this guy taking us down. Sorry guys for being such a ballache but I did expect a lot better than what's on offer at the moment.

Plus I think Rafa has a major rebuilding and assessment project on his hands. Having said that, once he has identified who he wants, and who he wants gone, it is another uphill task for Marcel Brands to find new homes for them, and then assuming the players in question agree to go!

Gray has been mostly used off the bench late in games. He started 4 or 5 and was taken off at half-time in a couple. He did get one goal late in a 5-2 win and finished a couple of games but fair to say he didn't pull up any trees. I don't think we should be talking about potential as he's now 25 and should be at his peak.

Bailey is a much more direct and fast player who gets his share of goals but can also be anonymous. He's not the world beater some of the TW community seem to think he is but would be a far better buy than Gray or Townsend.

Having said all that, I haven't seen Gray in the flesh due to Covid restrictions but I have seen Bailey a few times, since I live under an hour away from Leverkusen.

It was business as usual for Everton's recruitment team this summer as the club sought a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti.

While the Goodison hierarchy whittled down a long list of candidates for the vacancy, eventually arriving at Rafa Benitez, Marcel Brands and his staff were busy assessing transfer targets and speaking to agents before a pivotal transfer window.

Despite the managerial upheaval, there is full acceptance at Everton that the first-team squad must be improved ahead of the new season. And while the change from Ancelotti to Benitez does represent a stylistic deviation, most of the needs remain abundantly clear.

Regardless of the regime change in the dugout, Everton will target key additions in several areas, including right-back and along the forward line.

As in past windows, they will need to do so diligently, recouping money from sales where possible and trimming the squad.

In his first press conference as Everton manager on Wednesday, Benitez referred to “financial restrictions” after sustained heavy losses in recent seasons. He is under the impression he will be backed where possible in the market, but that the lavish spending of some previous windows is no longer a viable option in the short term. In other words, Everton know they cannot continue to stockpile assets, paying sizable wages to players who make little contribution on the pitch.

“We must manage the financial restrictions while still being ambitious” Benitez said — an acknowledgement that, to one extent or another, financial fair play regulations still linger in the background.

Although planning permission for the proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore means costs of around £50 million can effectively be written off from the accounts, reducing some financial pressure, the understanding is that Everton are keen to forge a more sustainable way of being. There will be some money to spend but not the kinds of net sums seen earlier in the Farhad Moshiri project unless vast resources of cash come into the club.

The aim is to cut down the squad where possible, with particular attention paid to high-earning fringe players such as Bernard, Cenk Tosun and Fabian Delph. As reported by The Athletic, the club are also willing to sell Moise Kean if the right bid comes in although they would happily keep the Italian if their valuation is not met.

After a successful season on loan at Paris Saint-Germain, Kean is a rare commodity among those currently on the periphery of the Everton squad in the sense that he is young, full of potential and has resale value. Cashing in on him would offer Benitez greater wiggle room in the transfer market, but so far, no club has indicated they would be willing to match Everton's valuation.

With so many of those available for sale playing in advanced areas, Ellis Simms recovering from surgery and Richarlison on course to miss the start of the season because of his participation in the Olympics, a new centre-forward will be a priority. Benitez hopes to keep Richarlison for at least another season and would ideally like to recruit a target man comparable in build and profile to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

In his press conference, the new manager lauded Calvert-Lewin and hinted he would focus a decent part of his side's attacking blueprint on providing service from wide areas.

“It is very easy to see that we have a great centre-forward” Benitez said. “He's very good in the air, he can score goals. But we have to provide him with good crosses, good passes.”

(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Before his departure, Ancelotti's goal was to make Everton more attractive on the eye, adding creativity and pace in forward areas. With James Rodriguez's future uncertain, the early evidence is that will almost certainly be a preoccupation for his successor too. Sources close to AC Milan have played down talk of an imminent move for the Colombian, but the departure of long-time mentor Ancelotti has left him considering his future.

For the last couple of years, Brands and his recruitment team have scouted dynamic wide players intending to make Everton more effective in transition. Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Bailey, Villarreal's Samuel Chukwueze and RB Leipzig's Hwang Hee-chan have all been extensively assessed and have garnered positive feedback. The Athletic understands the former two feature on Everton's shortlist once again this summer. The club are also on course to sign Benitez favourite Andros Townsend on a free transfer after his deal with Crystal Palace expired. Townsend is expected to provide trusted cover in wide areas with Bernard likely to leave.

Right-back has been another area of focus for the recruitment team in recent seasons.

Last summer, Manchester United's Diogo Dalot and Atletico Madrid's Santiago Arias were both on the shortlist, only for Everton to pull back on formal bids. The understanding is that Jonjoe Kenny, deemed surplus to requirements during the same window, needed to be moved on before a new name came in.

Dalot remains a player of interest but others have also caught the eye in the interim. PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands right-back Denzel Dumfries has long been admired by countryman Brands and is one possible option. Everton are yet to make a formal move, with Dumfries' agent Mino Raiola handling initial negotiations with interested parties. After long-standing interest, there was some fear that the Dutchman's excellent performances at Euro 2020 could spark a bidding war. So far that has not materialised but any deal would also need sign-off from Benitez, who is still assessing other potential targets.

Everton scout extensively in France, both at senior and youth levels, but have not shown much interest in Lille's Zeki Celik despite some reports to the contrary. Equally, there was surprise internally at the strength of the speculation around a potential move for Norwich City's Max Aarons earlier this summer.

If Everton's search for Seamus Coleman's long-term successor is finally successful, Kenny will almost certainly be forced to look for a new club. With one year left on his deal, the former Burnley and Schalke target is waiting to see what the future holds for him under Benitez before deciding his future. Wherever he lands, he will want regular minutes to push on his career.

On the other side of the defence, Everton will continue their attempts to tie down promising England Under-17 international Thierry Small to a professional deal amid interest from a host of top clubs and promoted Watford. Fellow youngster Niels Nkounkou had been set to push for a loan move under Ancelotti but is another currently waiting to see if he will be afforded more opportunities by the new manager. The Frenchman, recently selected in his country's squad for the Olympics starting this week, is attracting interest from top-flight clubs in France, Spain and Belgium.

In the centre of defence, decisions need to be made over youngsters Jarrad Branthwaite and Lewis Gibson. The duo face strong competition from a quartet of senior defenders, all of whom want regular football. Keeping everyone happy will be a tall order, and Everton do have a list of central defenders to fall back on should anyone push to leave.

The need in central midfield is less abundantly clear, and will ultimately depend on who departs this summer. Sporting Lisbon's Matheus Nunes has been one name monitored by the recruitment team, and was offered by intermediaries Gestifute earlier in the window.

At that stage, Gestifute were also involved in talks between Everton and client Nuno Espirito Santo over the vacant manager's role. Sources stressed the need to treat those two cases separately, but momentum has stalled, with those close to the deal less confident than before that Nunes will end up at Goodison. Again, Benitez would also want a decisive say in whether the young Brazilian ended up at Everton. Highly-rated Metz defensive midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, 18, is another who has been watched, although immediate priorities are elsewhere for now. As was the case under Ancelotti, a lot will also depend on how Jean-Philippe Gbamin acclimatises after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

With just over three weeks to go until the season opener at home to Southampton, Everton will focus their efforts on furnishing Benitez's squad for the big kick-off while also cutting their cloth accordingly elsewhere.

It is always a big summer at Goodison, but this one feels particularly important as the new manager looks to add some belated momentum to their overarching pursuit of the top six and silverware.

The other two? Hardly like getting James and Allan, is it?

If they are squad fillers, we get some current players off the books and make two significant first-team signings I would be happy.

I always thought a 'ballache' was a delicate ballet movement performed by those who are light on their feet, so I have now learnt that is a severe and irritating pain in the testicles. Who said TW wasn't a continuous effervescent fountain of knowledge? :-)

They are both hard-working players, albeit not marquee signings. If this allows us to lose one or two of the deadwood and we make a couple of decent young hungry quality signings, I'd be happy.

I'd be even more happy if Moise Kean stays. I think he's the right fit for us.

Yes, the Barca situation is interesting and it may inadvertently help our FFP. Maybe we will bring in Clément Lenglet and sell one of either Mina, Keane or Holgate.

If we brought in around £20M and then had a try before you buy on Lenglet, or even Demiral from Juve, then that would be very good business.

His cash provider, Usmanov, is a bit more realistic and will just be happy to see Everton move safely to Bramley-Moore Dock as a Premier League side. Only then will the purse strings be released. Lapdog Moshiri had his chance to lead the 'project' and 'blue' it. Excuse the pun!

We have a serious Financial Fair Play issue to resolve; we have a stadium to pay for. Moshiri has only committed to paying for the first phase, not the subsequent main build.

So maybe Rafa is here to steady the ship, keep us halfway up (or down) the Premier League, and see where we are in a couple of years in respect of the two elephants in the room. If so, no wonder Moshiri was somewhat ecstatic about the new manager's 3,000-long list.

I have no real expectations for the Blues this forthcoming season but, after 66 years following them, I am well and truly hooked, though trying to take a more detached view for the time being.

I hoped for a repeat this season along with a strengthening of the squad. Maybe up the game & level of targets a little, but I based that on having Ancelotti and qualifying for Europe. Different situation requires different perspective.

I don't mind this type of squad adding and still think (hope) we will add a couple of quality signings that will get the expectation flowing again. I guess it's a dose of realism after the disappointment of last season.

But I think the space we're in, we need the Leipzig model. Shop around for those uncovered gems, only spending between £15 - £20M. I thought that was the DoF job?

Dare I say, and we've all discussed this before, when they were average a few years ago, it's what served Liverpool well. Torres for £20M, Suarez for £20M, Coutinho for £8M. Turned them into superstars and even when they did have to sell, did so at profit, found replacements and gradually improved themselves to a point they were challenging. Ironically, where it didn't work for them was when they splashed over-the-top money on the likes of Carroll. It's not what you spend, it's how you spend it.

Not until you get yourself into a position to challenge Man City and Chelsea.

We might only be able to afford one or two multi-million pound signings so signing these two, one on a free and the other for a couple of million, then it makes sense to me. They know what the Premier League is all about instead of signing players from abroad who will take time to get up to speed and usually end up flattering to deceive.

I have to say, from someone who's living with the big C after being diagnosed 10 years ago and having every treatment and surgery I can have, I find your post a fucking disgrace.

As if your misguided reference to cancer wasn't enough to show just how "pissed off" you are, you continue by suggesting you may look at the season ticket prices across the Park. You should.

If you're short of a few bob, I'll help you out.

If the post was an attempt at being funny, you failed miserably, but nailed "really offensive".

We've yet to sell anyone (maybe Kean, Mina, Bernard…) and time will tell how Rafa and Brands cope with it. I have yet to be disappointed with Brands, as his signings have been promising and it's been pretty much up to the players to step up and show their worth.

Southampton dropped two divisions because their stadium sucked up all other available funding. Leicester are in a good place now but they had to endure time in the Championship first. Are we prepared to accept as a consequence of slashing squad funding to build a stadium?

I'm fine with Townsend and Gray if we also bring in someone like Matheus Pereira, or Leon Bailey who will score goals cutting in form the wing. Townsend, Gray and McNeill won't!

As for the issue of being linked with players like Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray - that's where we currently are as a club. No European football, an ongoing FFP problem, a new stadium in the offing - and all in this Covid and Brexit landscape.

We have to be creative about the fact that we need to add attacking players to our squad - and we need to find a handful of players that can come into the matchday squad and contribute immediately. Rafa has identified service to DCL as a major priority – and I think he's bang-on with that; wingers who might actually beat a defender and get to the byeline to put a cross in. Remember those? If we can bring in two of those, on reasonable wages, for an outlay of under £2 million, then it allows any existing transfer kitty to be prioritised for the other holes in our squad.

Shopping in the free transfer aisle is always a risk (Sandro and Bernard being two recent misfires), as is bringing in promising young players who are bargains because they haven't really kicked on as expected (Drenthe anyone?) – but I hated looking at our bench last season and regularly seeing 2 goalkeepers, a ragtag collection of central midfielders and central defenders, and a handful of youngsters... with no real viable attacking options at all. Another season like that does not bear thinking about.

Teddy - 162 - you might wish to re-read your post and try again.

Well done!

One good thing about appointing Rafa is that he won't accept any passengers. Maybe we will see a different side to some of these misfits. Or maybe i've been in the sun too long.

That has been proven recently with our latest Manager, but it has also revealed, sort of reassuringly, that Usmanov is a lot more involved than we were led to believe.

Only time will tell, but I don't envy Marcel Brands being tasked with moving many on. Although a degree of ambivalence in me also, saying he must have been complicit in their Arrivals and Contracts in the first place. (Not all, but many recent ones)

Makeweights like Everton need to turn the majority of the squad over every 2 years to avoid comfortable mediocrity as per the Moyes era a challenging team MIGHT evolve

It is a gamble but as the Richard Branson of Peckham Market once said "he who dares, Rodney"

I won't list them all but you do mention the stadium that appears to be happening not the one that was ring fenced, nor the most talked about footballer in the last 20 years. And now the frittering away of what seems all the transfer kitty and the appointment of an unpopular manager possibly as a result.

Don't the proper pre season games start this weekend?

Speaking of Kevin Campbell, his son might be worth keeping an eye on. I think he is at Stoke.

Inter Milan have informed the organizers of the Florida Cup that they want to withdraw from the friendly tournament this summer due to the spread of the COVID Delta Variant.

I think our managers have been rubbish since we won something except for Moyes who was okay.l and Ancelotti hard to judge in Covid times although was undoubtedly negative

On the other hand, Townsend is having his medical as we speak (hæmorroide probably) lol.

Negatives being they are not an improvement to the current squad standards needed to challenge the top 4.

A decent start to finding a right winger / forward that we badly need. Townsend has a few goals and assists in him. Grey unfulfilled potential.

Wouldn't one of those MLS teams like to test themsleves against premier league outfit?

Looking on the bright side our away form last season was exceptional, that is why our home form was so disappointing, so there is some hope.
I think nevertheless we are shaping up to be a good but not great middle of the table side, it could be worse I suppose!

Lets see what Rafa can make of our squad.

It's a nonrefundable ticket, so I hope you weren't joking.

At least Benitez seems to actually be identifying something that has been missing from this squad for years.

Maybe his assists stats got watered down by crossing to the goal-shy Benteke? And Zaha takes the ball off the other side of the pitch on the grass, so the manager wouldn't want balls pinged over to Zaha in the air - so no assists this way either.

Richie and Dom would be very happy if good balls come in like Rodrigeuz does from the right all the time, as Iwobi is never going to put in 5 good crosses a game... even if we paid David Beckham 12 million a year to be his coach. Move Iwobi centrally whenever called upon. Townsend on the right - let's try it out.

https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2021/7/19/22583560/inter-milan-florida-cup-withdraw-arsenal-new-opponent

Kristian, it would be hard for Orlando FC to jump in. They have league games scheduled Thursday, Sunday (in New York!) and the following Friday. MLS is playing a compressed schedule because of the late start due to COVID, and I don't think MLS would tolerate their putting out a light lineup for a league game, so they'd probably have to serve up a reserve squad for the Florida Cup.

A three-way round robin seems more likely.

No passion, no commitment and a can't be arsed attitude by our so called marquee players, anything would be an improvement on that.

IMO if we can play with wide players with pace and provide service into the box then DCL will show his true potential, that will be either great striker or big time Charlie.

Lets wait and see.

As difficult and painful as this would be for traveling US Blues like Kristian and Steven, as well as the hometown Floridians like Jamie, the club should be prioritizing keeping players safe and healthy.

US COVID cases rocketed up 70% last week, according to the CDC -- and one in five of those new cases were in Florida.

Let's give them grief when they've earned it but until then what a bit of benefit of the doubt
You never know they may surprise us, doubtful, but give them a chance

It couldn't continue, us spending 60+ mil every season. Not without major improvement to sponsorship and commercial income. Top it off with reduced income due to covid, and a summer spending spree was never on the cards.

I'd imagine this is why Ancelotti really left. I'd also imagine this is why a pragmatic Benitez accepted the job.

It'll be most likely two to three years before we can go on another spending spree. Unless there are major sales. Doesn't FFP run on a three year rolling arrangement?

I can't see major sales, due to covid financial loses. Only clubs with massive sponsorship and commercial income will be able to spend Willy Nilly. And those clubs probably aren't interested in our ‘top' players.

This could actually be a turning point in the game, as the transfer fees and wages on display really aren't sustainable long term.

Time to cut our cloth accordingly. Past wastage just makes it feel worse. Imagine what Sam and Robert could of scouted with 500mil to play with!! 😁

However, I get your point. Plenty of lawn mowers etc to buy.

Last season, Townsend scored 1 goal, provided 5 assists and created seven big chances. In contrast, Bernard and Iwobi together managed two goals, two assists and just three big chances created. Townsend can enhance the service rate to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in the middle.

Townsend also works meticulously in helping out the defence. In the 2020-21 season, the 30 year old made 2.73 tackles per game, 2.51 blocks and 1.81 interceptions per game, putting him in top 1% of forwards in Europe's top five leagues.

The same writer posted a few days ago that we were interested in the Swiss striker Seferovic of Benfica.

This little island country is "Deltavariantville".

The Delta variant is exploding exponentially and the government is encouraging everyone to take their masks off and go partying.

The chief medical officer has publicly stated: "The numbers will get scary".

The squad are better off anywhere else but here.

It seems as though reports of Inter pulling out were premature.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that traveling there increases the risk for the players.

Following is a summary from June 4-10, 2021.

UPDATE: Weekly Situation Report From The Florida Department Of Health

Cases: 2,300,786 new positive cases, an increase of 12,157 from the previous week.

Vaccinations: 10,460,797 Florida residents have been vaccinated, a weekly increase of 183,946. In all, 55% of Florida's population has received a vaccine.

Positivity Rate: The positivity rate for new cases was 3.4%, down from 3.6% the previous week.

Deaths: A total of 37,265 Florida residents have died from a primary diagnosis of COVID-19, an increase of 40 from the previous week.

65000+ were at Wembley, almost 500,00 at Silverstone over the weekend and youre all worried about 10 to 20000 people in the open air in Florida.

I understand that this Covid pandemic has a lot of people spooked but lets have a sense of perpective over a friendly game (especially since Ive already booked the Tickets !!!)

There has been a big increase nationwide in the US within the past month in the numbers of positive cases, hospitalizations and, sadly, deaths from primarily the Delta variant and the vast majority of these are from unvaccinated people.

Like Mike G. and Tom H. I think the club will be very unwise to come to Florida now. Shame about your tickets, Jay.

I'm trying to say traveling can be dangerous because it's harder staying inside your bubble..
But, it looks like the English government are taking the biggest chance, by deciding to ride with the wave, so I think the next couple of months are going to determine how we are going to fare against this virus in the future, especially because cases are supposedly rising rapidly in England right now, whilst the government has decided to just let us try and get on with it🤞

We should only really evaluate such signings by the end of the transfer window.

If these are the two main signings, and are set to start the season in the first 11 then yes, not a pretty picture.

But if they are seen as decent, cheap and readily available squad players then they could we'll be decent acquisitions.

For example, when Richarlison is not performing, bring on Gray. Gray as competition to Richarlison could actually force Richy to up his game. Cause currently there is absolutely no one to challenge and replace him. But similarly, we can seldom afford to go and spend 15-20 million on a bench warmer either. So Gray for minimal outlay isn't a bad shout.

Similar with Townsend. He's not a world beater, but much like.when we had Lennon, a decent player with a good work rate. He'd be a decent player to call upon from the bench.

He's free, and available now and can start working with his new teammates immediately. But if he's the only right sided midfielder to come in, then we have a reason to be disappointed. But the fact is, we don't know yet.

Quite often, it is the much underwhelming and maligned signings that turn out to be the best ones.

But considering we were ending the season without even filling out bench, such squad fillers are required.

Do we know how many Everton players have gotten their shots? Has the club put out any statements regarding vaccination percentages? I know individual medical information is not public, but I sure do wonder how many unvaccinated Blues are headed to Florida.

However, I have always said, that we should sign players who 'have something to prove'. Gray was 'the coming man' about 3 years ago, but hasn't shown it yet; he will be 'busting a gut' to prove Leicester etc. wrong; and it might just be the motivation, to unlock his undoubted raw talent.

Townsend, will be stung by those saying he is 'a journeyman' and 'past it' and will hopefully be desperate to prove his doubters wrong.

Marquee signings they are not; but what they are, is cheap, solid grafters, with a chip on their shoulder; that RB just might be able to unlock.

We do need to add both quality and depth, but I get your sentiment.

Not qualifying for Europe and Ancelotti's walkout has changed the landscape, but we were a game away. And it shouldn't have come down to that. So maybe we don't need the major surgery many suggest. Depth of squad and one or two quality signings.

But now we have a new manager, so we go through the cycle again. Hopefully that's where Brands comes in to keep the good ones, add stability and build on last seasons near miss* / own goal*

*delete according to opinion.

This is how it is. The death rate is not as high as previous months but people are needing hospitalization. That means taking up a bed for days or weeks or worse needing intensive care. If beds are occupied with a contagious virus. No elective surgery can happen for cancer, heart, surgery for painful joints such as hip or knee replacement simply will be delayed further. The reports state the NHS has a waiting list of 5 million plus nationwide for elective surgery. How many deaths are caused by waiting for surgery?

Oh yes!! No flu virus for 18 months and expected back this winter as people gather. This with covid on top of that! I fear for my health service over the next 12 months and patients waiting. It's a gamble today as the world watches the outcome. Let's hope luck is on our side!! Please be mindful of others!!

I still remember the grousing here about our signing a couple of Manchester United "dumpees" 15 years ago. Pip Neville was "past it" and Tim Howard had some kind of "mental condition" that meant he'd never be able to handle pressure.

Turned out OK, as I recall.

I laughed, funny as. Now if Brands could market that "Iwobi pricing matrix" then Everton could be onto a winner.

The most gifted? No. But his leadership and presence was always missed when he didn't play.

Money! Money! Money!

They (the various establishments around the world) have decided it's life (people) or economies and economies has won.

They also realise that we the lower orders are by now very confused and tired of this virus and as such are much more malleable to their will.

To sum up, it's every man for himself now.

Hello Jay,

I fully understand you wanting to enjoy life and "get out there", but on the other side of the coin there's the likes of myself who's sheilding some that is extremely susceptible.

If I were to sit next to someone at a match and catch it, there's a good chance there would be tears within my family.

It's not a case of being spooked, this thing exists and it's exploding much faster than the first really big wave we had in the UK.

I'm just being realistic not spooked.

Never closed borders, lifted restrictions to early, hasn't underpinned an already overwhelmed health system and is now playing Russian Roulette with peoples health.

Hands up he rolled out the vaccine quicker than anyone else but the winter will take it's toll.

AED is seeing a steady increase in Covid patients daily where I work, this is gonna get scary.

Respects to your apology. It takes strength to openly post one's regrets in a forum like this... much the same kind of strength it takes to deal with that big C.

The cancer community here on TW is larger than you'd think... only a few have gone public. The courageous and empathetic Brian W. being one.

Best wishes for your own battle.

Apathy!!!

All pervading and crushing, we really are the great unwashed. maybe not in a literal sense, but not much has changed.

The enlightenment, the great depression, two world wars, Vietnam war and Covide came and went, we're still eating bowls of gruel and they're still in their palaces.

I think big problem we had or have is we have central defenders who are comfortable on the edge of our own box in open play. But they don't like coming out.

So I agree, we got results when we played to that, but it wasn't pretty. But if it had gotten Europe, I'd have been happy. Like you say, old ground now. That was last season.

Back to the tools and why I've been in disagreement with many who don't see centre back as a priority. If we get centre backs who are more comfortable coming out and pushing up the pitch, it helps the midfield push on and get closer to the forwards.

We all have opinions and I know I'm in the minority, but centre back would be a priority for me. This may sound contradictory but a Stones or Koulibaly type defender would make us more attacking. Their style, would give the midfield confidence in not having having to worry about the defence so much in terms on sitting on top of them and collectively, the team better supports the attack.

I'm probably over simplifying the game of football there, but I always think of it as a simple game!!

Boris Johnson is a very intelligent man who had the best advice possible to hand, he didn't fuck up, he just had other motives and did what he did.

He did what he did knowing the consequences, the scientific people around him would have laid out all the scenarios due to his actions, before he did them.

He's many things, but innocent isn't one of them.

And my wife was diagnosed in December. She's recovering now and it's looking positive.

And Terry, great humility mate. We all say things we shouldnt, don't mean or gets taken out of context. Being able to acknledge and apologise shows the strength of a person.

Anyway, let's get back to Everton.

The fact he never listened to his experts means he's fucked up.

No dave, the opposite is true, he did listen to his experts and was told of the possible results of his actions, but then did his own actions?

He also hasn't fucked up because he did what he meant to do and he will also never be punished for any of this.

Let's be honest, he's only going to be a squad player who will mainly be on the bench. Surely we have a youth player or U23 player who can do the same thing? If we don't, there is something seriously wrong with our development squads if we have to turn to 30-year-old players for squad players.

It might be different if he was a game-changer but not in your wildest dreams is he now. I was really thinking with Rafael Benitez things might change. And Brands – is this the best new talent he can find? – a fading 30-year-old bench player!!

There is a massive difference between listening and hearing Tom.

He may have heard what they said but he sure didn't listen.

Now, as to the CB debate... I disagree with you completely. I don't think that position should be anywhere near the top of our priority list. We have quality and depth at CB, and far greater needs in midfield and wide. Godfrey has tremendous pace, Keane is a superior passer out of the back, Mina has steadily matured and rounded his game, and all three are highly capable defenders. Yes, it would be great to get a true attacking CB who can carry the ball, but right now he'd have nobody to pass to.

There's no point in shopping for new tires when the car doesn't have a decent engine. Time enough to upgrade the tires when you can generate some highway speed.

Attack first, please.

I love Godfrey and I'd like to keep Mina. Holgate; maybe he can still develop and in fairness to the lad, he was played out of position frequently last season. For me, and this is where we will disagree, I think Keane is the weak spot. I get your call on his distribution, but the moment he gets higher up the pitch, we risk being exposed as he is not good at that. So with him in the team, we have to sit deep. Some may like that. I don't, but that's all down to opinion on how we want to see Everton play.

To be fair, Keane had a really good season last time out. But at 28, I don't see him improving now. He is what he is. A decent centre back with good distribution. But one who lacks defensive concentration and often allows a ball to drift over his head without having the recovery power to compensate for lack of pace. So he instinctively sits deep and the team will if he plays.

I can see why people don't think it's a priority, but for me, with the right signing, it would change the dynamic of the team if we get a better centre back alongside Godfrey. But then I think Mina is a footballing centre back, so a sustained period of those two could work? Both young in terms of centre back age.

I was interested in your comments on Florida earlier. My house has been booked back to back for the past month and into August by North American visitors. I'm hoping to get out there myself in October for Halloween, so hope the situation settles down.

Quote from Wikipedia
His next appearance marked his third England goal; on 31 March 2015 he scored the equaliser in the 79th minute against Italy, having come on as a 70th minute sub in a friendly match which ended 1–1.[76] The 20-yard strike was described as a "sweet right-foot drive into the bottom corner"; Townsend took to Twitter immediately after the match to respond to Paul Merson after he had said Townsend's club form did not justify him being anywhere near the England team.

As we appear to be struggling with the cash again - no wonder BK wanted Moyes !! Heres a few signings that won't break the bank - signed on their free status not current form mind you ! All available now !!

For the defence we could Sign Begovic and Wayne Hennessy both freebies, as are Nathaniel Clyne (RB), Patrick Van Aanholt (LB), Jerome Boateng (CB), James McCarthy - one of the family after all (CM), Robbie Brady (LM), Hal Robson Kanu (CF).

Sell Pickford, Keane, Mina, Gomes, Delph, Tosun, Richarlson, James, Kean and Bernard.

Line Up v Southampton

Begovic, Clyne, Boateng, Godfrey, Van Aanholt - Digne is injured.
Townsend, Allan, Davies, Doucoure, Brady, Robson Kanu. Cheap as chips XI.

On the bench Hennessey, Coleman, Holgate, McCarthy, Iwobi, Gordon and Gray. and keep our fingers crossed for the season.

Of course I would not sell Pickford but knowing EFC if a club comes in offering good money they will sell - they always do.

Bainesy, Jags and Vaughn are all out of contract as well, and we can be absolutely certain they'd give up retirement to come back and give their all for the Blues just once more. And Timbo Howard is only 42 -- prime for a keeper.

Champion's League qualifiers today too. Celtic playing as well as our fondly remembered Rotterdam opponents Rapid Vienna. Oh and Lincoln Red Imps. I had to take a double take on that one; they're from Gibraltar, not east of Newark and Grantham!

These two would have been big business in times of Moyes.' Back to the Future' sort of thing !

With a police investigation going on, sounds like we are ensuring we have all bases covered.

I will say no more.

Steve at 284, and player under suspension will still have to paid in full until either a court case or the contract runs out. The Met Police have only just been able to sack, and stop paying, the ex PC who murdered Sarah Everard as until being found guilty he was a suspended employee.

Gray: Goal Involvement (GI) every 2.9 games.
Townsend: Goal Involvement (GI) every 3.3 games.

This compares against Andre Gomes who has a GI every 13.9 Premier League games, which basically highlights how little he offers, as he is dog useless when we don't have the ball also.

Surprisingly, Iwobi had 30 GI in 100 Premier League appearances for Arsenal which equated to a GI every 2.2 games, whereas at Everton it is a GI every 8.7 games. Not sure what the reason for that disconnect is, but he sure as hell has looked shit in a blue shirt.

Source: Transfermarkt.co.uk

We are not loaded, we can't afford to have 30 million pound players sitting on the bench (yes Iwobi, I'm talking about you).

But Premier League experience, with pace, work rate and something to prove - yeah, that'll do nicely on the bench.

Just cause they're our first signings, doesn't mean they're our only ones. Just that they are readily available, so join quickly and rather pain free - unlike more expensive, more ambitious signings that require negotiations both on fees, wages, and beating off competition.

Benitez has always worked with big squads, and we currently don't have that - deadwood we have, but too often last season our bench had 2 keepers and 3/4 teenagers just to make the numbers.

So two quick, attack minded, wide players on the bench will do nicely.

The hobb err Bernard would actually have to you know, leave, before I actually will believe he has left. He's been headed to the Middle East for what? A year?
What's he waiting for? A magic carpet to take him there?

Adding three uninspiring premier league castoffs, on top of Benitez and now a destabilising tabloid scandal has me reaching for my bottle opener in despair at Everton. And it's July for chrissakes.

I feel like I'm in a slow motion nightmare I can't wake up from at times. As the arl fella said earlier by text, HTF do you get a billionaire owner, bring in the likes of Brands, spend the money we have and end up with this? Like this?
If Everton was a horse, you'd shoot it. If it was a hospital patient, you'd usher the family into a side room and ask them to think about organ donation.
I'm shaking my head here. It's almost impossible to really take anyone at the club seriously at this stage. It's a farce.

I have the utmost respect for anyone who accepts a mistake and comes out with an apology like that.

Forgiven and forgotten mate!

These three players will offer very good options, with no outlay hardly.

If as we believe may happen, with Richarlison, Rodriguez, Bernard and Moise Kean, looking to leave, better to have back up in already.

Then go out and try and sign like for like players, from any incoming transfer fees we get.

The ones who have come in now will offer our squad something.

If we do not have any outgoings, then our squad will be so much better, with the three arrivals.

Knowing EFC we won't sign the bigger names until late in the day, to save on wages !!

Wanting to 'earn a few bob' during the summer holiday, he got himself a job as a steward at the Royal Horticultural Society show at Tatton Park.

[Ed... for our American readers, Tatton Park is a very posh country house and estate, formerly home to the Dukes of Bridgewater]

He then got a text, asking him to come in early for his 'Terrorism training'!

My God, if Isis etc. are going to attack a flower show in leafy Cheshire, there's no hope for any of us!!

Yes. Its a Liverpool fc related link but still...

This pie-in-the-sky thinking is what we've been reduced to after decades of rampantly ruinous "leadership" in our club, and it's bonkers for a club still claiming, with futility, to be seeking regular European football.

I predict several more seasons of mind-numbing inertia for us fans, extending well after the White Elephant (and no, Unsy, I don't mean you) Stadium ever opens.

Since a brief period in the mid 80's it's been the "Everton That" way after all..... "If..... Yer Know..... Yer 'Istory".

Fuck all in the past five years has identified even a glimmer of light at the end of our Kenwright-built tunnel has it?